Monday, December 29, 2008

This morning some friends and I left my home at 3 a.m. for the long trip up to Peru, New York to see the previously reported Northern Hawk Owl.We had tremendous views of the bird as it perched on trees, telephone poles, and in flight.

Later we went to Hurricane Mountain Road in Elizabethtown, NY and saw a half-dozen Pine Grosbeaks, as well as, a Red Crossbill who was gather grit from the roadside.

The Owl was one of my most wanted birds, and becomes ABA Lifer bird # 579.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

This morning I drove south away from the rain & fog that was pushing north, all the way down to Cape May. I was after a bird I had seen once before, up in New Paltz, NY back in June 2004.

Thanks to local birder Chris Vogel and his recent updates about this bird, I was able to locate it pretty quickly. First by it's call, and then numerous glimpses as it ran through the grasses, and perched from time to time. Overall I spent an hour enjoying this little beauty.

This species is rapidly declining in the east, and barely winters in New Jersey. There are reports of this bird being found every other year or so. Likely it is here annually, but just not discovered as much.credit: WhataBird click on map to enlarge

Friday, December 26, 2008

Due to the early winter snows across most of northern North America, two species that breed in the Arctic are now well into their wintering ranges, and these species are showing up in higher numbers than previous years. Across the region there have been numerous reports of Snowy Owls and, more recently, Rough-Legged Hawks.

Today I was able to see both within the Meadowlands, specifically the Richard De Korte Park area. There are two Snowy Owls being seen just north of the now fallow Town of Lyndhurst ballfields. Here is one being harassed by a Northern Harrier:credit: Jerry Barrack

Throughtout the area are likely close to a dozen of the Rough-Legged Hawks, and both the light & dark morphs are being seen.

Also seen were hawks of Red-Tailed, and the Cooper's, plus American Kestrel, and several Northern Harriers.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Some friends and I started here about 8:30 this morning following the 3-hour ride. As expected we saw several thousand Scoters here, and all three species of Black, Surf, and White-winged were well represented. In fact, from my experiences I know of no better place in this area to see more White-winged Scoters than here.

Among the scoters were many Common Eiders in all plumages, including the adults with the pinkish-blush on their breasts. Red-Breasted Mergansers were about as were numerous Common, and Red-Throated Loons. We were able to see about 10 Razorbills, mostly in flight but some did sit on the water for us too.

I picked out a Black-Headed Gull in flight, and other species of gulls were Bonaparte's, Ring-Billed, Herring, and Greater Black-Backed were also seen.Common Black-Headed Gull credit: http://flickr.com/photos/lipkee/2218245631/

My friend Andy got to see a very distant Kittiwake but I could not get on it. Alas, no King Eiders were spotted today.

Deep Hollow Ranch species of note were two Snow Geese among the Canada Geese, and a few Killdeer.

Later at Hither Hills State Park we found the out of season Clay-Colored Sparrow, amongst other species of House, Song, White-Throated, and Field Sparrows.Clay-Colored Sparrow

In the Hamptons we re-located the Cackling Goose, and later at Indian Hills beach access we found the Glaucous Gull in the Sagaponack Pond outflow into the ocean.Glaucous Gull credit: unknown

Thanks to Angus Wilson for reporting his Saturday sightings of the Cackling Goose, Glaucous Gull, and the Clay-Colored Sparrow.